10 serene Japandi homes in Malaysia

To optimise natural lighting, well-placed windows and a strategically positioned skylight were incorporated, maximising daylight and reducing the reliance on artificial lighting.

Additionally, the integration of energy-efficient LED lights contributed to a lower environmental impact and reduced electricity consumption, showcasing the studio’s commitment to sustainable and thoughtful design.

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In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, this Japandi-inspired apartment designed by Pins Design Studio seamlessly blends the essence of Japanese and Scandinavian design, resulting in a tranquil and refined living space.

Infused with warm wood tones, neutral finishes, and elegant materials adorned with distinctive textures and motifs, the interior exudes sophistication. 

The minimalist design is elevated by organic shapes and unique elements, contributing visual interest and maintaining a harmonious balance.

Throughout the living space, dining area, and kitchen, the Japandi expression prevails, enhanced by abundant natural light and accents of warm grey natural stone. 

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Newcleus Design transformed a 1,500 sq ft condominium unit in Petaling Jaya’s Tropicana Gardens, initially intended for minimal furnishings for rent, into a stylish home for a newlywed couple.

The design intent was to create a fresh, contemporary, and comfortable space which took advantage of the stunning view of the Tropicana golf course. 

The design features large glass windows, replacing curtains with a Japanese tea table to enhance the open visual experience.

Incorporating minimalist wood finishes, including a TV console and wall wainscoting panels, the design focused on intricate details such as a unique ceiling trough, black-lined Roman blinds, and Parisian-inspired cornices, successfully optimising the limited space.

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J House Studio undertook the design of a home in Sibu, Sarawak, for a newlywed couple, which drew inspiration from the principles of wabi-sabi. The design concept prioritised serenity and authenticity, emphasising the use of natural materials and exemplary craftsmanship.

Incorporating key design elements, such as a gracefully curving TV wall, a textured paint-adorned feature wall, and a handcrafted curved staircase handrail, the home exudes a distinctive charm—celebrating imperfections and highlighting the beauty of simplicity and natural elements.

The residence is meticulously curated with pieces and objects that seamlessly align with the wabi-sabi theme, resulting in a visually pleasing and fulfilling living space for the newlyweds.

The studio’s thoughtful approach met the client’s aesthetic preferences and created an environment that fostered a sense of tranquillity and appreciation for life’s inherent imperfections.

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Pins Design Studio adeptly addresses the practicality and style needs of a family with young children in a suburban Seri Kembangan semi-detached home.

The clients’ preference for the Japandi style, blending Scandinavian functionality and Japanese rustic minimalism, aligns perfectly with the fusion’s focus on clean lines, bright spaces, and light colours. 

Strategically placing creative details and unique shapes, the designer crafted a fresh and youthful ambience in key areas, emphasising playfulness and peacefulness.

The living room, featuring a whimsical sofa reminiscent of bubbles, anchors the family-friendly spatial concept, offering a joyful dwelling for adults and an inspiring environment for little ones to explore.

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When it came to designing their abode in one of Petaling Jaya’s modernist condominiums, Sharmaine Wong and Wei Hoong Chia, two of the three founders of Wunderwall Design, would like “an enclave that is quiet and calm to come back to, an escape from the everyday hustle,” says Wong.

At the same time, their home also serves as an outlet for experimentation, which she adds: “We could experiment with materials, designs and the lifestyle that may not be the norm for usual households.”

The bold nod to minimalism and functionality manifests in the home, where lighting is kept to a minimum, providing just enough illumination to highlight the different qualities of the space.

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In the living room, the TV wall hangs with a sound bar on an empty wall, and two slabs of burnt Nyatoh form the coffee table, providing textural appeal; whereas a large curved stainless steel panel, ground by hand, reflects a pendant light in the kitchen. 

“With this, and through applying minimal forms softened by natural textures and materials, we give the space a sense of calm,” concludes Wong.

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IDCandy’s thoughtful design for the double-storey unit in Tropicana Indah ensures it not only meets the family’s practical needs but also cultivates a serene ambience for the clients raising a young family.

Strategic vent blocks facilitate airflow while preserving privacy, and walls were removed to create an open-plan layout, seamlessly integrating the living, dining and kitchen areas.

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Here, a solitary tree welcomes sunlight from the rooftop and infuses both floors with natural light and fresh air, fostering an environment “where one can truly unwind, reclining on a side bench and taking a leisurely breath,” elaborates Shawn Lu, co-founder of IDCandy.

A deliberately restrained palette persists throughout the home: the predominant white in all areas is punctuated by shades of grey, with natural materials such as wood being an intuitive match. 

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Priscilla Ng, co-founder of the interior design studio paul+pris, along with her clients Jaclyn Lee and Johnny Doran, embarked on a remarkable transformation of the charming penthouse in Tivoli Villas, Bangsar.

The original ceiling space in the living area was removed to add a mezzanine floor, while the three main beams, exposed from the renovation, were painted white to create a minimalist feel, allowing for a luminous simplicity in the upper enclave.

An overall muted, restrained tone ties the 1,800 sq ft site into a coherent whole, as it fosters a sense of playfulness and honours personal touches and histories through the selected materials and furnishing.

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Large-format tiles add visual width in the bathrooms and kitchen, while polished terrazzo adorns the common floor, creating a smooth, subtly-flecked expanse; alongside the pastel sky blue island counter and cabinetry that add vibrancy.

Meanwhile, teak veneers provide a warm and textured focal point, complementing mid-century modern pieces like the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, and an elegant Denmark-imported TV cabinet—a harmonious blend of personal histories and contemporary aesthetics.

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What was once a ‘90s corner terrace house in an exhausted state, with a leaking roof, cracking walls, rusty pipes; Winston See and Amy Ang, founders of Paperspace, envisioned an inward-looking home for themselves and their three children. 

Nicknamed “Kami,” meaning “Ours” in the Malay language, the pitched roof façade pays homage to the Rumah Panjang, a Borneon vernacular architecture referencing Ang’s Sabahan roots. 

The dark green gable roof profile minimises the possibility of future leaks, as the round window reduces heat gain and maximises natural ventilation.

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Through the spacious car porch and the main door tucked away on the side, the courtyard garden to the side leads into an open-plan interior with minimal internal walls and warm, solid Herringbone wood flooring. 

Besides utilising “a lot of reclaimed wood recycled from old weathered train tracks and bridges as racks, stairs, and structural support,” says Ang; the couple also sourced furnishing, lighting and art decors from local and international brands, creating a personalised yet inviting space.

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Award-winning Pins Design Studio’s renovation of this 1,300 sq ft corner-lot terrace house in Puchong, Selangor has transformed it into a staggering 3,700 sq ft abode.

Home to a family of four and their two dogs with four well-appointed rooms, the renewed residence captures the symbiotic relationship between nature, inhabitation and natural light.

The double-volume door panel leads into the double-height living room with sustainable sensibilities, such as perforated panels in the upper windows to regulate internal temperatures, and natural light filtering through the ventilation block.

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Pockets of vibrant green creates a lively atmosphere amidst a sense of contemporary elegance, highlighted by stainless steel finishing cabinets and sleek porcelain countertops.

Meanwhile, curved ceilings soften the aesthetics of the private rooms: the master exudes a serene ambiance with grey-ish texture paint and micro-cement finish; the son’s room with shades of grey and green and expansive windows framing the landscape; and the daughter’s vibrant room with playful designs and a mix of colours and textures.

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